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The University of Bolton will accept its first cohort of medical students next year. The Deane Road based university first announced in April 2023 that it was aiming to offer full medical degrees at its new School of Medicine. University Vice-Chancellor Professor George E Holmes has now unveiled a sculpture of ancient Greek physician and philosopher Hippocrates to mark the latest step.
Professor Holmes said: “This is an enormous moment for us, bringing the great Hippocratic Institute and ‘Hippocrates’ himself to the school of medicine. “This school will receive its full General Medical Council approved doctors in September 2025. Professor Holmes speaking at the event (Image: University of Bolton) “We are very proud of the Institute and proud to be working with the Royal Bolton Hospital Trust to create a seamless connection between the academic provision and the practical.
“What is critical to us is the professional practice aspect, the immersion in practice and activity in the industry. “Building a school of medicine inside a hospital is critically important to us.” The School of Medicine will be based at the £40M Institute of Medical Sciences, which has been built on the grounds of Royal Bolton Hospital in Minerva Road, Farnworth .
The bust was donated by the Global Doctors’ Hippocratic Institute (Image: University of Bolton) The school is already inviting international students to apply for its September 2025 intake. Students will be taught a MBChB Medicine programme, subject to GMC Quality Assurance procedures. They will learn at the Institute of Medical Sciences in Farnworth as well as five partnered hospitals and general practices across the region.
Hippocrates is widely regarded as the father of modern medicine (Image: University of Bolton) The Institute first opened in September after having received around £20M from the government’s Levelling Up Fund in 2021, while the university contributed another £20M. It was created as part of a collaboration between the University of Bolton Group, Greater Manchester, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and Bolton Council. The bust of Hippocrates was donated to the university by the Global Doctors’ Hippocratic Institute and is now displayed at the reception area of the Institute of Medical Sciences .
ALSO READ: Ambitious plans to open a 'med school' in Bolton a step closer ALSO READ: Ambitious plans to open 'med school' in Bolton announced ALSO READ: First look at £40M medical college which will attract the very best It was unveiled Dr Antonios Polydorou MD and Dr Konstantinos Pantos MD, Secretary General and Vice President of the Institute respectively along with Professor Holmes. The Global Doctors’ Hippocratic Institute aims to bring the international scientific community together in tribute to the ancient philosopher. Born in Kos in 460BC, Hippocrates was the first doctor to explain illnesses with natural causes and is widely regarded as the father of modern medicine.
Professor Holmes said: “When you look at the beliefs of Hippocrates and you look at the importance of the physician to the community, we are setting ourselves at the heart of the community here by linking to the hospital and the Bolton community. “We will provide local doctors, who are highly skilled, highly trained, highly professional technicians working in practice, but are also incredibly compassionate individuals, which again links to the Hippocratic Oath.”.
